CLOSING KEYNOTE / THURSDAY / JUNE 14, 2018 / 11:00 AM
Giving Guests an All-Access Pass to Your Brand
You want to make it as easy as possible for customers to do business with you. Rafik Hanna will share how Taco Bell is stepping up its digital offerings as the brand continues its journey to become a $15 billion company with 9,000 restaurants globally by 2022. The brand continues to deliver same-store sales growth by driving innovation, new store development and creating a frictionless customer experience. One key to Taco Bell’s success is a strong partnership with its franchisees to deliver world-class operations.
With a renewed focus on technology and greater access to the brand for consumers, Rafik will describe how Taco Bell is giving its customers “all access” through a variety of platforms, including self-service kiosks, web, mobile, and delivery.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Rafik Hanna | Senior Director, All Access | Taco Bell
Rafik Hanna is an accomplished technology and digital leader who has led numerous business and IT transformations. In his current role as Senior Director, All Access, Rafik leads Taco Bell’s digital transformation of 7,000 US restaurants with a national roll-out of self-service kiosks. During his tenure at Taco Bell, Rafik has helped elevate the guest and restaurant experience, including leadership for Taco Bell’s recent 2018 re-launch of eCommerce, featuring the new Ta.co website and new Taco Bell iOS and Android mobile apps. Previously, Rafik spearheaded the roll-out of digital menu boards, chip and pin payment devices, POS refresh and all technology for Taco Bell’s flagship restaurant.
Paula Suarez | VP of IT and Development | Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants
Paula Suarez is Vice President of Information Technology and Development for Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurant, Inc. Suarez leads the companywide implementation of technology projects and oversees in-house software development efforts. Her focus is on streamlining business processes using advanced technology options. Prior to joining Dickey’s Barbecue in 2011, Suarez served as Division Business Systems Analyst for RealPage, a software development company for major property management companies. Suarez’s experience also includes over a decade working within the area of business systems analysis, software development and technical training. Past career achievements include the development and launching of the first military housing technical training program for Lincoln Military Housing.
Ashish Tajpuria | SVP, Head of Emerging Payments & Commerce Partnerships | Bank of America
Ashish Tajpuria is the Emerging Payments Executive at Bank of America, responsible for managing third-party partnerships across the entire payments and commerce ecosystem for the consumer bank. Ashish’s current areas of focus include: digital wallets, card networks, loyalty, artificial intelligence (A.I.) & Internet of Things (IoT). Ashish is also responsible for managing various strategic emerging payment projects. Prior to joining Bank of America, Ashish was a member of the Chase Pay product team where his responsibilities included product strategy, roadmap development, third-party partnerships and merchant acceptance. He has a proven track record as a product manager creating new digital products across a wide range of industries from financial services, retail / eCommerce to travel and high-tech.
MODERATOR
Ken Hosac | VP, Business Development | Cradlepoint
Ken has 25 years of experience in marketing, sales, R&D and manufacturing. At Cradlepoint, Ken is responsible for driving strategic industry partnerships to accelerate the company’s market growth and leadership. As part of the leadership team since 2009, Ken has helped drive Cradlepoint’s growth and development through roles in strategic planning, product management, solution strategy and thought leadership. Ken frequently represents the company at industry conferences and events, and served on the original Advisory Board for the IoT/M2M Evolution Magazine. Ken holds a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering and an M.S. degree in Manufacturing Engineering, both from Stanford University.
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